Ball game device



Jan 21, '1941- J. N. LARSON BALL GAME DEVICE Filed Jan. 50, 1940 @fa-we: 4 617 5511x5201 A iiomeys Patented Jan. 21, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2 Claims.

This invention relates to a device for playing a game in which a ball is used and has as its object the provision of such a device or game which will provide amusement and exercise, and also aid in the acquisition of gracefulness, dexterity, and skill; as well as to provide a game which can be played either indoors or out of doors, thereby affording a medium of all yearround helpful recreation and exercise.

The invention, together with its objects and advantages, will be best understood from a study of the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the apparatus for playing my new game.

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of a ball catcher, and

Figure 3 is a top plan view thereof.

Referring more in detail to the drawing it will be seen that my game apparatus comprehends the use of a court 5 which may be delineated on a gymnasium floor, the ground, or be in the form of a platform as found desirable.

Rising from one of the longer edges of the court 5 is a vertical wall 6 which may rise to any suitable height and at its upper end merges into an inclined target I that is of the same length as the length of the court 5 and may be of any desired Width.

Any suitable frame structures 8 may be employed at the ends of the wall 6 and target 1 for supporting said wall and'target, and if .desired the wall 6 may be omitted.

Preferably, however, the wall 6 is resorted to and both the wall 6 and target 1 are preferably formed of boards tightly fitted together.

The target I has drawn, painted, or otherwise presented thereon at opposite sides of the transverse center thereof lines 9 that run from the base or lower edge of the target to the upper edge thereof as shown and the surface of the target between these lines may be known as the fair area, such area being designated generally by the reference numeral l0. The'remaining areas of the target may be known as foul areas.

Further in accordance with the present invention each player is equipped with a ball catcher, indicated generally by the reference numeral II.

In the present instance the catcher ll comprises a suitable handle l2, to an end of which is fastened, in any suitable manner, a wire loop [3. Secured to, and distended by the loop I3, is the upper, open end of a bag I4 formed of heavy canvas or other suitable material.

The object, intent, and purpose of the game is for a player to hit the target 1 within the "if-air area H] of the target with a thrown ball l5, preferably a tennis ball, so that the same will forcibly rebound from the target to be caught by an opposing player in the bag M of the catcher H 5 either before the ball bounces on to the court 5, or immediately following one single bounce of the ball after the latter strikes the court 5.

Of course, the player throwing the ball at the target I will attempt to throw it in such a man- 10 ner as to strike the fair area I0 with such force and at such an angle as to have the ball rebound from the target in a manner making it difficult for the opposing player either to catch the ball directly as it rebounds from the target, 15 or after bouncing once on the court 5.

Further in accordance with the present invention the court 5 is divided by a foul line 4 into a serving area 3 and a "playing area 2. The amusement from the game will be greatly increased if, under the rules, the server, that is the player throwing the ball against the target, be required to make his serve anywhere within the area 3, and the opponent, occupying the area 2, be required to catch the ball as it rebounds from the target, and in the ball catcher l4 either while the ball is in flight on the rebound from the target I, or is in flight immediately following the first bounce of the ball within the area 2. Under the rules it may also count a point for the opponent if the ball rebounding from the target I should fall anywhere outside of the opponents area 2.

It will be further understood that rules of 35 play may be drafted in accordance with the desires of the participants and such rules may state the number of persons who may play, and the number of persons who make up opposing sides or teams. 40

It is thought that a clear understanding of the apparatus, and the manner in which the same may be used for competitive enjoyment or merely for exercise and a pastime, will be had without a more detailed description.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed as new is:

1. A game device of the class described comprising a ball targetincluding an elongated vertically arranged wall and an inclined wall slop- 50 ing upwardly and rearwardly from the upper edge of the first wall, the two walls being of the same length, supporting means for the two walls and a court located in front of the vertical wall for the players, said court being of a length equal to the length of the vertical wall with a line dividing the court into two halves.

2. A game device of the class described comprising a hall target including an elongated vertically arranged wall and an inclined wall sloping upwardly and rearwardly from the upper edge of the first wall, the two Walls being of the same length, supporting means for the two Walls and a court located in front of the vertical wall 10 for the players, said court being of a length equal 

